Equine Acupuncture

Background:

Acupuncture dates back to the years 2000BC to 3000BC in China. It produces regional anaesthesia by passing long, thin needles through the skin to specific points. These 350 points are found on the meridian system (energy pathways) in the body.

Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists

East Park Cottage, Handcross, Haywards Heath,

West Sussex RH17 6BD

Tel: 01444 400213

020 79378215

Interesting Acupuncture Therapy Sites:

www.grahamgoodrich.co.uk Graham Goodrich MRCVS, veterinary surgeon using acupuncture and homeopathy in his Essex practice, takes referrals from other vets in the South East

www.alternativevet.org The site of Chris Day MRCVS, holistic vet practising alternative therapies including acupuncture and homeopathy, based in Oxfordshire

www.equinenaturaltherapy.com Provides an interesting article on acupuncture and how it works. A therapy centre for lameness in horses based in County Down, Northern Ireland

wwww.holisticvet.co.uk Holisticvet is a veterinary consultancy based in Bath, North Somerset, offering homeopathy, acupuncture and nutritional advice for horses

www.equineacupuncture.co.uk Sue Devereux MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon who lives and works in the Salisbury area, where she accepts referrals for acupuncture.

Training in Veterinary Acupuncture:

This is open only to qualified veterinary surgeons. However, you could consider Equine Acupressure or Equine Shiatsu, they both follow the same principles using finger pressure techniques along the meridian lines and acupuncture points. Training in both Shiatsu and Acupressure require only a practical aptitude and love of horses.

Colorado University in the USA offers training: www.aavma.org

Recommended reading:

Veterinary Acupuncture by Alan Schoen

Essentials of Western Veterinary Acupuncture by Samantha Lindley

Visit our Books page for books on equine health recommended by our therapists.